The Jazz Arts Group’s 1980-1981 concert series “Big Band 80’s” began with an opening concert celebrating the history of big band, featuring Phil Wilson on trombone. Manny Albam, Eddie Daniels, and Ladd McIntosh joined JAG throughout the season, and the final concert featured  Buddy DeFranco.

 

HISTORY OF THE BIG BAND

Featuring Phil Wilson

Big Band 80’s Series
November 9, 1980 | Battelle Auditorium

Phil traced the history of Big Band music with some of the great Big Band jazz standards including “Jumpin’ at the Woodside,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” and “One O’Clock Jump” in their original orchestrations. Wilson, one of the all-time great jazz trombonists, has played with Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and many more. This concert was a treat for any Big Band lover.

 

Performers: 

Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline, Dave Wheeler, Vince Andrews

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Mark Greenwood, Vaughn Wiester

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Ray Eubanks

Rhythm Section
Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Steve Grier – Percussion

 

BIG BAND TODAY

Featuring Manny Albam and Eddie Daniels

Big Band 80’s Series
December 7, 1980 | Battelle Auditorium

Modern standards and old songs played in a new way highlighted this program with Manny Albam, one of New York’s busiest composer arrangers, and Eddie Daniels, virtuoso woodwind performer.

 

Performers: 
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline, Dave Wheeler, Vince Andrews

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Mark Greenwood, Vaughn Wiester

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Ray Eubanks

Rhythm Section
Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Steve Grier – Percussion | Stan Smith – Guitar

LADD McINTOSH

Big Band 80’s Series
January 17, 1981 | Battelle Auditorium

Columbus’ own Big-Band-great returned for this one. Many remembered Ladd’s great Columbus bands of the late 60s. Ladd was busy writing and leading his new band in Los Angeles during this time.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline, Dave Wheeler, Vince Andrews

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Mark Greenwood, Vaughn Wiester

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Ray Eubanks

Rhythm Section
Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Steve Grier – Percussion | Stan Smith – Guitar

SALUTE TO STAN KENTON

Featuring Manny Albam and Eddie Daniels

Big Band 80’s Series
March 8, 1981 | Battelle Auditorium

This concert featured “Artistry in Rhythm,” “Malaguania,” and music from “West Side Story,” all with original music from the Kenton library. Marvin was featured trumpet soloist of the Kenton orchestra for three years and was New York’s most sought after studio player. He also played frequently with the New Benny Goodman Quintet.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline, Dave Wheeler, Vince Andrews

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Mark Greenwood, Vaughn Wiester

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Ray Eubanks, Dean Congine

Rhythm Section
Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Steve Grier – Percussion | Stan Smith – Guitar

SWING INTO SPRING 

Featuring Buddy DeFranco

Big Band 80’s Series
April 26, 1981 | Battelle Auditorium

Buddy DeFranco was the winner of 19 Downbeat Magazine awards as the number one jazz clarinetist, nine Metronome Magazine awards, and 16 Playboy All Star awards. He made both concert and recording appearances with such stars as Billie Holiday, Nat Cole, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Lenny Tristano, Nelson Riddle, and Billy Eckstine. Program selections were announced from the stage.

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline, Dave Wheeler, Vince Andrews

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Mark Greenwood, Vaughn Wiester

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Ray Eubanks, Dean Congine

Rhythm Section
Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Steve Grier – Percussion | Stan Smith – Guitar